Ensure you have discussed with your Surgeon/GP what medications you can take on the day of surgery as some medications may require ceasing up to a week prior to your Surgery.Our Pre Admission Nurse shall discuss with you your medication regime as some may be required to be brought with you eg. Insulin, Ventolin.

Please note if you are on blood thinning medication that you have had a blood test taken the day prior at the latest so the hospital can obtain the results in time for your surgery.

Your length of stay in recovery can vary from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on the anaesthetic, type surgery and how you are feeling.

General Anaesthetic patients you must have someone drive you home and stay with you overnight. If this is not organised prior to your Admission it will result in your surgery being postponed until a responsible adult carer is available.

You will be given written discharge instructions regarding care of your operation site, pain medication, post-operative appointment and general post-operative care.

It is daunting for a child/parent to be admitted to a hospital, talk to your child honestly about his/her upcoming surgery to prepare for the experience.

Prior to surgery be informed about your child’s surgery; ask the surgeon/anaesthetist any questions you may have.

What you tell your child depends on their age, maturity & coping ability.

Explain to your child that the nurses and doctor will need to touch them (eg. temperature, listen to their chest& pulse)

Keep routines as normal as possible, however do not send your child to school on the day of surgery.

Be aware your child may pick up any changes in your behavior that day. Always portray a positive attitude.

Even though your child is fasting you need to look after yourself.

If possible bring another adult for support especially for the trip home.

Please make necessary arrangements for siblings to be cared for at home.

Bring favourite toy, book, blanket, dummy, game and charger.

A change of clothes is recommended.

Clothing is preferred to be loose button down the front eg.Pyjamas.

For infants please bring a bottle of formula if required.

click here To assist your in child’s visit to our hospital the attached link is to a colouring book that they can use

Recovery

After surgery your child will be cared for by highly trained and experienced nurses. Our Recovery nurse will ring the waiting room or you’remobile when your child is waking from the anaesthetic. Only 1 parent is initially allowed into the recovery room, once your child is awake the second adult can enter. Please remember we have other patients in recovery so it is important to be quiet.

Sir John Monash Private Hospital has agreements with most of the major health funds.

Please check prior to your admission with your health fund directly in regards to an excess/co-payments and your coverage.

Dental Patients

Please note that there will be an out-of-pocket with HCF and NIB. If you do not have private health insurance call our accounts department for a quote. Workcover/TAC patients should have confirmation of approval in writing and a copy sent to us prior to the day of your surgery.

We only accept Cash/EFPOS, Visa, Mastercard or bank cheques.

We do not accept Personal cheques, American Express or Diners cards.

Payments must be finalised at the time of admission and prior to the commencement of surgery.

To read all information provided and ask relevant questions pertaining to proposed surgery

Tell us of any religious or cultural requirements.

Make appropriate arrangements for post discharge care.

Inform the staff of any administrative problems and to pay their account promptly.

Patient Property/Valuables

The hospital provides due care but no responsibility for the protection or security of any personal belongings or valuables while a patient is at the facility. Any claim of impropriety regarding patient’s property will be directed to the Chief Executive Officer or Director of Nursing for investigation and response.

Complaints Procedure

Any person who visits the facility has the right to lodge a complaint.

If they wish to do so, they should submit their complaint in writing to the Complaints Officer who is the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.

The complaint will be thoroughly investigated by the Complaints Officer, findings documented and a meeting arranged to discuss the findings with the person who has lodged the complaint and other relevant parties, if necessary.

Any verbal complaints will also be investigated.

A follow up letter outlining all issues regarding the complaint, the findings, outcome & resolution discussed between the Complaints Officer and complainant will be sent to the complainant and a copy kept at the hospital.

The outcome/findings will be referred to appropriate parties such as Board of Management, Medical Advisory &/Staff Meetings, for further discussion, such as resolution, changes to procedure etc.

The person who lodges the complaint will not be discriminated in any way. Details related to the complaint (maintaining their privacy) will be placed in the Issues, Incidents and Improvement Request (III R) system.